Checklist For An Amazing Grace Period In The United States
Make The Best Out Of Your 30-Day Grace Period In The United States
What’s the best part of the BridgeUSA J-1 Intern or Trainee Program? Other than having professional development experience at a reputable host company in a unique location in the US? Well, the 30-Day Grace Period, of course!
As you are already aware, the BridgeUSA J-1 Program provides Exchange Visitors with not only one year of professional development experience but also the opportunity to experience authentic American culture. We hope that most of this year is spent focused on developing new skills related to your career path and learning important interpersonal skills that can only be acquired through hands-on experience. However, there’s an equally important component of this experience we hope is not overlooked, your Grace Period!
Your Grace Period is a 30-day period to remain in the US following your program end date listed on your DS-2019 form. This time is reserved for additional travel & exploration, as well as extra time to tie up any loose ends you have here in the States.
What loose ends, you may ask? Here is a Grace Period checklist for you to consider when you’re nearing the end of your program:
Book your plane ticket home! This may seem obvious, but since you are aware of your program end date ahead of time, please be sure to plan ahead and book your plane ticket home 2-3 months before your departure. Last-minute international plane tickets can get VERY expensive. Be sure to add your departure information to your participant portal once it’s been scheduled!
Purchase additional health insurance! Odyssey provides every EV with health insurance for the duration of your program. Supplemental insurance can be purchased online. You should receive an email from Odyssey 30 days before your program end date offering this service. It is not mandatory, but highly recommended.
Complete Final Supervisor Evaluation! Make sure that your supervisor has completed your Final Evaluation before you leave! We recommend having a final review with your supervisor so you can go over all of the things you learned during your internship and reflect on all the progress you have made!
Travel the US! Your Grace Period is the best time to travel the US, far and wide. We hope that you have gotten to know your host company location really well throughout your one-year internship, and now you can spread your wings to experience even more of the US. Every state and region has its own culture and idiosyncrasies.
You’ve already been to LA, New York or Las Vegas and you’re wondering, where to go next? Or maybe you just want to experience something different? Check out these hot destinations:
Austin, TX: Austin is THE fastest growing city in the US, and for many good reasons. Learn more here!
Portland, OR: Perfectly situated between the Pacific coast and Mount Hood; nature and foodie enthusiasts galore! Learn more here!
San Diego, CA: Just a short 2-3 hour drive from LA, San Diego is much smaller, more chill, and still beachy and IG-worthy. Learn more here!
Nashville, TN: Also known as Music City, this place is full of storytellers and dreamers alike. Learn more here!
Chicago, IL: The NYC of the Midwest! Chicago is iconic in its own right, and nicely situated in the middle of the US! Learn more here!
National Parks! The US is home to 63 (officially designated) National Parks. Experiencing these parks is arguably one of the most quintessential American experiences you can have. You’ve heard of the Grand Canyon right? Well, that’s just one National Park! Others that are noteworthy include: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Olympic, Arches, Big Bend and so much more! Learn more here!
We hope your Grace Period experience is just as unique as your BridgeUSA J-1 Program was! Please share you unique journey with us for a chance to be featured on our social media!
If you still have more questions or need more inspiration, do not hesitate to reach out to one of your Odyssey Advisors.
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”
